Just days before Denver’s school board decides the fate of a troubled charter school, officials from Challenges, Choices & Images school are furiously making changes.
The school in northeast Denver is facing closure or sanctions over financial troubles, problematic student achievement and the hiring of people with criminal backgrounds.
The charter’s contract with Denver Public Schools lapses Monday. The board meets Thursday to decide whether to renew the school’s contract for at least a year, force changes or revoke the contract.
Last week, school officials announced four new members on its governing board: Wilbur Miles, clinical psychologist; Kayleen Hollines, vice chair of the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce; Marc Stein, retired Aurora Public Schools administrator; and Carl Knox, vice president of Anderson & Associates.
The school also announced Oscar Joseph, associate vice president at Community College of Denver, as head of school. He’ll work on student achievement.
The school also has severed ties with the preschool set up as a private business by Carolyn Jones, the principal who served on both the Challenges, Choices & Images governing board and the preschool board.
The district is investigating whether Jones comingled funds by lending the preschool $500,000 in public money.
The child-care center has a new board made up of parents and will operate as a nonprofit.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
